Barbecue take-out "evolves" to a skewered packing fee, and all dishes in Mala Tang have a separate packing fee
Packing fees have become a way for some takeaway businesses to make money
Some experts believe that merchants can charge a certain packaging fee, but it should not significantly exceed the cost of the meal box itself
News from our newspaper (Reporter Liu Bing) As he leaves early for work and returns late at night, Xiao Zhao, who lives in Haidian District, Beijing, often orders takeout for dinner.
Recently, when Xiao Zhao ordered a barbecue takeout on a takeout platform, he discovered that the packing fee was collected in tandem.
The reporter found that Xiao Zhao’s experience was not an exception, and the packaging fee has become a way for some food delivery platform merchants to make money.
"Takeaway is now'evolved' to charge a package fee per skewer. The package fee for roasted potato chips is 0.5 yuan per serving, and 0.4 yuan for lamb skewers, hot dogs, and'palm in the palm'. In this way, there are not many things, and the packaging fee is 4.4 yuan. Yuan." Xiao Zhao said.
"Barbecue is a one-time packing fee. The problem is that after the meal is delivered, it is put together. Is this packing fee reasonable?"
Ms. Hao, who lives in Tongzhou District, Beijing, also believes that the packaging fee for take-out has become more and more expensive recently, and some of them are unreasonably charged.
"I order a Mala Tang, and all dishes have a separate packing fee. Each item costs 35 cents, and ordering 10 items and 8 items will cost a few yuan for the packing fee. There is a packing fee for the lunch box, but I can understand it. They are all put together, and there is no separate package."
"You think that is the packaging price, but in fact it is part of the commodity price. This is just a business routine." Mr. Wu, who usually orders takeout, told reporters about his recent experience of ordering takeout.
"One pie is less than 2 yuan, but when the menu list comes out, it shows '1 yuan for packaging fee per portion.' This is not a disguised increase in price."
On August 23, the reporter opened two food delivery platforms and found that many businesses had set up packaging fees.
Basically, consumers have to pay a packaging fee for each take-out order, and the cost of a single packaging is 1 to 2 yuan.
What makes consumers unacceptable is that consumers have no choice but to passively accept the packaging for take-out.
"One bun is packed in a box, and charging 1 yuan for packaging is a waste. If you can choose, wouldn't it be more reasonable to charge a few cents for a plastic bag?" Xiao Zhao told reporters.
Who earns the packaging fees paid by consumers?
Some food delivery platform staff said that the packaging fee is set by the store itself, and the cost is also paid to the store instead of the platform.
However, the owner of a restaurant in Wenhua Road, Changping District, Beijing, told reporters that the packaging fee is charged because the platform is now high, and the low-price competition among various businesses is compelling.
In this regard, Xiong Chao, a lawyer at Beijing Jingshi Law Firm, told reporters that some of the behaviors of collecting packaging fees for takeaways are suspected of compulsory consumption in disguise.
According to relevant laws and regulations, business operators shall not compel or force consumers in a disguised form to purchase and use goods or services provided by them or by designated business operators.
Some experts also believe that businesses can charge a certain packaging fee, but it should not substantially exceed the cost of the meal box itself.
Merchants should respect consumers' right to choose independently, provide alternative packaging solutions, and be reasonable and fair in charging.
How to regulate the charges for take-out packaging involves the interests of consumers, platform parties, and take-out merchants, and requires careful consideration and timely management by relevant departments.